In high school I desperately wanted to learn to play the violin.  My family lived in a small town that offered band classes to students, but not orchestra.  I saved a bit of each paycheck I earned in the hopes that one day I would be able to buy one and teach myself at home; But as time went on and my schedule became more demanding, the dream went by the wayside.  It wasn’t until college when I met an amazing man and shared with him all of the desires of my heart that it resurfaced once again; And in early 2001 this man proposed marriage to me in a creative way, with the use of a violin.  We married and used it as a prop for our wedding photos.  It is a beautiful symbol of love. Whenever I look at it I am reminded that I have a husband who wishes to make all my dreams come true, and I believe that with him by my side I can reach them.

In 2006, upon finding out that we were expecting our first child, we came to the realization that if  I didn’t start learning the instrument soon I may lose my chance for many years.  And so with great anticipation, I began violin lessons at a local music center when I was about 2 months pregnant with {D} and continued with them until a few weeks before his arrival.

We like to joke that because he had a front row seat to each of my lessons and subsequent daily practices, {D} retained some musical knowledge, but we know the truth.  His love for music comes from within his soul – a God given gift.  It’s a beautiful thing.

Today the proverbial torch is being passed from mother to son.  {D} walked into his very first orchestra lesson and took a baby step in learning to play the violin.  We are so incredibly excited to watch his skills develop and I look forward to the day when we can play duets together.